I was just wondering how many people listen to music while observing? What kind do you listen to? I usually have Pandora radio going on the Pink Floyd station or something light and easy. I've got some great suggestions if anyone is interested in adding them to your Pandora list! I find it really adds to the experience.

The vast majority of the time, I prefer to just enjoy the peace and quiet when out observing.

But once in a great while, if I'm observing alone, I'll listen to a bit of music in the background, with the volume way down. Neil Young, Allman Brothers, Crosby Stills & Nash, Led Zeppelin, Leon Russell, Manassas, Allison Kraus, Yes....that kind of stuff. I've got over 500 CD's burned to a hard drive, so I have a good selection of stuff.

As much as I love astronomy, I like music even more. But I prefer the peace and quite of being out at night under the stars so I never listen to music when I observe. I gotta admit though I've never actually tried it. Who knows, maybe I would enjoy some tunes at the eyepiece. I don't think so though. The peace and quite is one of the selling points for me.

Depending on my mood, it could be anything. Zeppelin, Kansas, Loreena McKennit, Kitaro, John Serrie, Vangelis, Pink Floyd, Beatles, Debussy LP, you name it. I have many playlists including a couple that are more than 8 hours end to end. You know, for the long sessions.

The original Cosmos soundtrack is out of print, but you can sometimes find used examples (vinyl or CD) for several hundred dollars. Alternately, you could research the playlist for the series soundtrack and build your own version in iTunes or other digital music sales portal.

If you view the full moon and listen to Dark Side of the Moon it's like seeing the whole surface of the moon at once!

I prefer the "quiet," which offers plenty to listen to when you're paying attention to it. Similar to how much you can see outside in the dark when you allow your eyes to adjust. That combination of sensitivity to faint sound and light is a major part of the magic for me. Maybe not the same if viewing from suburbs or city.

If I were to try music, my first choices would be Cathode or Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Depends on the obseving session. If it's a casual observing session, I'll listen to some music, but when I'm tracking down a difficult object or am sketching at the eyepiece, I need it quiet to be able to concentrate.

This subject comes up periodically. For me, listening to music while observing would destroy much of the experience. For me and many others, listening to the night sounds is as important as seeing the night sights.

Hmmm depends, If Im tired Ill turn on metallica or apocolyptica, pink Floyd is good.On high energy nights I go silent.No coyotes here, least wise in town, out south theres a rather large pack though. Here its the screetch owls or tree frogs and crickets